Early season storm dumps snow, rain in California

LOS ANGELES 
An early season storm dumped snow and rain Friday on parts of California in a chilly turnaround after days of dangerous fire weather caused by warm, dry Santa Ana winds.

Showers from the storm front that descended from the Gulf of Alaska passed over coasts and urban areas after a few hours, but temperatures plunged after nightfall.

Snow levels in the mountains of Southern California and in the Sierra Nevada dropped to around 4,500 feet as the storm front descended from the Gulf of Alaska, with the possibility of snow as low as 3,500 feet overnight.

The Mammoth Mountain ski resort in the Eastern Sierra reported on its website that it had 6 inches of new powder and planned to open for the season Nov. 10.

The unsettled weather made the region a checkerboard of clouds and patchy sunshine. Hail fell briefly in the Eagle Rock area of Los Angeles, which also saw nearly an inch of rain.

The precipitation totals were smaller in other parts of Southern California, with 0.14 inch falling in downtown Los Angeles, 0.13 inch in Santa Monica and 0.31 inch in Costa Mesa, according to the National Weather Service.

Inland areas saw more rain, with about an inch falling on Julian and Escondido in San Diego County.

There were no reports of serious flooding or other major problems, but the expected fender-benders snarled streets and freeways.

People traveling mountain roads were urged to be especially careful because of icy surfaces and blowing snow as winds gusted to 35 mph or higher at times.

"Take it easy on the speed and slow down," meteorologist Carol Smith said.

High wind and surf advisories were issued up and down the coast, with seas of 5 to 8 feet off Southern California and 8 to 11 feet along the Central Coast.

The rain could wash pollution into the ocean, and beachgoers should be careful to avoid waters around creeks, rivers and discharging storm drains, Los Angeles County health officials urged.

"There is the possibility that bacteria or chemicals from debris and trash may contaminate the water near and around these areas, and some individuals may become ill," Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, the public health director, said in a statement.

The cold, wet weather was a complete change from earlier in the week. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Southern California was hit by warm, dry weather as Santa Ana winds swept the region with gusts to 70 mph, downing power lines and creating extreme fire conditions.